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Oil-free: to save China's oil pump nozzle industry
The Chairman of Shandong Longkou Pump Nozzle Factory believes that the Euro II system developed by Oil-Free has played a critical role in revitalizing China's pump industry. Within the Chinese machinery sector, there is a shared perception that the engine industry has lagged behind the automotive sector, while the pump and nozzle industry has, in turn, held back the engine industry's progress.
Oil-Free was established in 1980 as the last subordinate research institute under the former Ministry of Machinery Industry. After the dissolution of the Soviet Union, it became the sole oil-free agency in the world based in China. Its founding was rooted in the planned economy era, with the Ministry of Machinery Industry organizing a technical team in Wuxi during the late 1970s to tackle challenges in oil pump nozzles. This initiative brought together 200 technical experts, partly due to the presence of key enterprises in the industry, following the traditional "one plant, one" model.
In the 1980s, as the state began its first science and technology system reform, funding for research institutions was gradually reduced. Starting from 1986, annual budget cuts of 20% were implemented, reducing government support to just 20% of original levels by 1990. At that time, the government provided only 460,000 yuan, with all other expenses covered internally.
From the beginning, Oil-Free maintained a long-term partnership with Weifu (Oil-Free Plant) in R&D. The Ministry of Machinery Industry appointed Zhu Wenbin, the director of the oil-free factory, as its first leader. Under his leadership, Oil-Free transitioned from supporting agricultural machinery to focusing on internal combustion engines, which helped establish Weifu’s leading position in the domestic industry. Over the years, both entities collaborated closely, whether through imitation, technology introduction, or joint national projects. Even today, the chief engineer at Weifu was once transferred from Oil-Free, and former Weifu leaders have retired to Oil-Free.
In the mid-1990s, as part of the second scientific and technological structural reform, Oil-Free proactively sought new directions. Since 1993, it had been in contact with FAW Group. In January 1995, Oil-Free officially joined FAW, becoming one of the earliest restructured research institutes. Although it was later labeled as “China FAW Group Corporation,†it retained its original name and continued serving the industry.
A major strategic shift occurred when Oil-Free moved from being a narrow-focused research institute to a comprehensive engine research organization. Previously, pump nozzle agencies were not allowed to engage in engine research, and vehicle research focused only on chassis technology. However, foreign manufacturers typically had strong fuel system development capabilities and vehicle integration skills. To catch up, Oil-Free broadened its R&D scope, expanding from pump nozzles to other engine technologies such as combustion systems, intake/exhaust systems, valve trains, lubrication, supercharging, simulation, and cooling.
It also divided its research into three stages: short-term (solving production issues), mid-term (developing new products and technologies), and long-term (following global trends and maintaining cutting-edge research). This shift enabled Oil-Free to focus on advanced injection system technologies and align with international standards.
From its inception, Oil-Free was open to external collaboration. It invited British CAV experts and Soviet nozzle specialists for technical exchanges, helping to enhance its knowledge base. During the mechanical pump era, Oil-Free was already capable of designing its own pumps, such as the BQ pump in 1983 and the widely produced BX pump.
As emission standards evolved, many domestic companies struggled to meet requirements. Oil-Free, with its deep expertise in engines and nozzles, participated in numerous tech upgrades, helping companies meet regulations. It was among the first to develop systems that met European I and II standards. The Chairman of Shandong Longkou Pump Nozzle Factory credits Oil-Free’s Euro II system for saving China’s pump industry.
By the late 1990s, Oil-Free continued to provide innovative solutions for the domestic market, including the PM pump approved in 1999 and patented in 2002. Companies like Shandong Longkou Pump Factory, ASIMCO, and Beijing Pump Factory benefited directly from its technological advancements. Many related enterprises have also gained indirectly from Oil-Free’s continuous innovation and contributions to the industry.